2/9/2016 The Frady Branch Trail System – GA

TRAIL INFO. – This hike was on the Lathan Cemetery Loop, Pear Orchard Loop, Frady Branch plus some extra miles of hiking after making a wrong turn ending up on the Broad River Farmers Bottom Road.

TODAY’S HIKERS: Suzanne Belflower, Phil Brownrigg, Joe Collins, Pam Euliss, Kanchan Garg, Tim Hale, David Hinson, Bill Hunt, Jack Jacobi, Bob Magee, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Jeanne O’Connor, Tony Presley and Vic Robson.

Total hiking distance today – 8.75 to 10+ miles depending on which shuttle you took back to the start. Difficulty rating – Moderate to strenuous.

DIRECTIONS: From the north headed toward Toccoa on Highway 17 (4-lane), you will be coming down a mountain and at the bottom, turn right at the 1st traffic light (Jeanette Jameson Intersection) travel 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left (the gravel road just before the entrance rd. to Patterson Pump, inc. If you are coming from Toccoa, take Highway 123 (Currahee St) West about 4 miles and continue straight at the Jeanette Jameson intersection (Shell station) Drive 2.3 miles to Robert Sink Rd. on the left just before Patterson Pump, Inc.Then drive up the road to the second gated road on the right for parking.

Another great day for a hike! Cloudy, cool, a few snow flurries , with temperatures ranging in the low 30’s.

WILDFLOWERS IN BLOOM: Nonewith some old homestie Daffodils.

BIRDS IDENTIFIED: Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren and Turkey Vultures.

Parking at the Lathan Rd. access.

The three trails planned for the day!

Another great day for a hike!

The area just above the Mary Steele Waterfalls.

Beautiful Mary Steele Waterfalls.

Historical marker

Daffodils blooming early at one of the old homesites.

The beauty of wintertime trails.

Here we are trying to figure out where we are!.

We ended up walking quite a few miles in the wrong direction.

We were surprised to be walking along the Broad River near Farmers Bottom!

After realizing where we are, we walk up Guard Camp Rd. along the Broad River. Tony called Donna and his brother Bob to come and shuttle us back to our starting point. We ended up hiking 8.75 – 10+ miles.

Our rescue!

The OFHC gang for today’s hike. (l-r) Vic Robson, Bob Magee, Kanchan Garg, Jack Jacobi, Pam Euliss, Dave Norton, Mary Lu Norton, Jean O’Connor, Tim Hale, David Hinson, Joe Collins, Suzanne Belflower, Phil Brownrigg, Bill Hunt and Tony Presley.